Crypto

ETH Staking Calculator

Estimate your Ethereum staking rewards over time. Compare compound vs. simple staking returns with a detailed monthly breakdown.

Quick Answer

Staking 32 ETH at a 3.5% APY for 12 months earns approximately 1.12 ETH in compound rewards. At $2,500 per ETH, that is roughly $2,800 in passive income. Compound staking (auto-restaking rewards) yields slightly more than simple staking, and the difference grows over longer time horizons.

ETH
$
%
0%20%

Staking Rewards Projection

Total Rewards
1.1381 ETH
$2,845.36
End Balance
33.1381 ETH
$82,845.36
Compound vs Simple
+0.0181
extra ETH from compounding
Reward %
3.43%
of total balance

Compound vs. Simple Staking

Compound Staking (auto-restake)33.1381 ETH
Simple Staking (no restake)33.1200 ETH

Monthly Breakdown

MonthStart ETHRewardEnd ETHValue (USD)
132.0000+0.093332.0933$80,233
232.0933+0.093632.1869$80,467
332.1869+0.093932.2808$80,702
432.2808+0.094232.3750$80,937
532.3750+0.094432.4694$81,173
632.4694+0.094732.5641$81,410
732.5641+0.095032.6591$81,648
832.6591+0.095332.7543$81,886
932.7543+0.095532.8499$82,125
1032.8499+0.095832.9457$82,364
1132.9457+0.096133.0418$82,604
1233.0418+0.096433.1381$82,845
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual staking rewards vary based on network conditions, validator performance, slashing risks, and protocol changes. Ethereum staking involves risk of loss including potential slashing penalties. The ETH price is volatile and future prices are unpredictable. This is not financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

About This Tool

The ETH Staking Calculator helps you estimate potential rewards from staking Ethereum on the Beacon Chain or through liquid staking protocols. Since Ethereum transitioned to Proof-of-Stake with The Merge in September 2022, ETH holders can earn passive income by locking their tokens to help validate the network. This calculator models both compound staking (where rewards are automatically restaked) and simple staking (where rewards are collected without restaking).

How Ethereum Staking Works

Ethereum staking involves depositing ETH to activate validator software that processes transactions and creates new blocks on the blockchain. Validators earn rewards for proposing and attesting to blocks. The minimum stake for running a solo validator is 32 ETH, though liquid staking protocols like Lido, Rocket Pool, and Coinbase allow staking with any amount. The current network staking APY typically ranges between 3% and 5%, influenced by the total amount of ETH staked network-wide, network activity (tips from transaction fees), and MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) rewards.

Compound vs. Simple Staking

The key difference between compound and simple staking lies in what happens to your rewards. With simple staking, your rewards accumulate separately and do not generate additional yield. With compound staking, rewards are periodically restaked, so you earn rewards on your rewards. Over short periods the difference is minimal, but over multiple years compound staking can produce meaningfully higher returns. Many liquid staking tokens (like stETH or rETH) automatically compound because the token itself appreciates in value relative to ETH.

Factors Affecting Staking Rewards

Several variables influence your actual staking returns. The base APY changes as more or fewer validators join or leave the network. Execution layer rewards (priority fees and MEV) add variable income on top of consensus layer rewards. Validator uptime matters: offline validators miss attestations and earn less. Solo validators face slashing risk if their node misbehaves, though this is rare with proper setup. Liquid staking protocols charge a fee (typically 10-15% of rewards), which reduces your effective yield but removes the operational burden of running a validator.

Staking Duration Considerations

Since the Shanghai/Capella upgrade in April 2023, staked ETH can be withdrawn, but there may be exit queue delays during periods of high withdrawal demand. Liquid staking tokens can be sold on secondary markets at any time, though they may trade at a slight discount to their underlying ETH value during market stress. The longer you stake, the more compound interest works in your favor, but you also face greater exposure to ETH price volatility and potential protocol changes.

Tax Implications

In many jurisdictions, staking rewards are considered taxable income at the time they are received, valued at the market price of ETH at that moment. When you later sell the rewarded ETH, any price appreciation is subject to capital gains tax. Tax treatment varies by country and is evolving, so consult a tax professional familiar with cryptocurrency regulations in your jurisdiction. This calculator does not account for taxes in its projections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current ETH staking APY?
The Ethereum staking APY fluctuates based on network conditions, typically ranging between 3% and 5%. The rate decreases as more ETH is staked network-wide (since rewards are distributed among more validators) and increases when the network processes more transactions (due to priority fees and MEV). You can check real-time rates on sites like stakingrewards.com or beaconcha.in.
Do I need 32 ETH to stake?
You need 32 ETH to run a solo validator, but liquid staking protocols like Lido (stETH), Rocket Pool (rETH), and Coinbase (cbETH) allow you to stake any amount. These protocols pool ETH from many users to run validators, and you receive a liquid token representing your staked position. The tradeoff is a small fee (usually 10-15% of rewards) and reliance on the protocol's smart contracts.
What is the difference between compound and simple staking?
Simple staking earns rewards only on your original deposit. Compound staking reinvests your rewards so you earn rewards on rewards. For example, staking 32 ETH at 3.5% APY for 5 years yields about 5.89 ETH with compounding vs 5.60 ETH with simple staking. Liquid staking tokens like stETH compound automatically because the token's exchange rate increases over time.
Can I lose ETH while staking?
Solo validators face slashing risk if their node signs conflicting messages (a rare event usually caused by misconfiguration). Slashing can result in loss of a portion of staked ETH. Liquid staking carries smart contract risk and potential depegging of the staking token. Additionally, ETH's price is volatile, so the USD value of your staked position can decrease even while earning staking rewards.
How long do I need to stake ETH?
There is no minimum staking period. Since the Shanghai upgrade, validators can exit and withdraw their ETH, though there may be a queue during high-demand periods. Liquid staking tokens can be traded on exchanges at any time. However, longer staking periods benefit more from compounding and spread out any entry/exit costs over more time.
Are ETH staking rewards taxable?
In most jurisdictions (including the US and UK), staking rewards are treated as ordinary income when received, valued at the market price at the time of receipt. Subsequent price changes are subject to capital gains tax when sold. Tax treatment of cryptocurrency varies by country and is subject to change. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.